Coulson Gulch Wandering (Estes Park/Lyons Colorado)

Trip date: Mar 24, 2018

I'd been thwarted by several different plans early on Saturday due to various trails being closed.  I was feeling antsy in the afternoon and basically threw a dart at a map and decided on Coulson Gulch which is on National Forest land.  This is squarely in the center of a triangle formed by Lyons, Estes Park and Allenspark.  

I had planned on exploring some trails/dirt roads I'd seen on my map but when I got there I found out that this area seems to be primarily used for target shooting.  Nothing too crazy but I could hear lots of gunshots coming from the direction I wanted to go.  Decided to go in the opposite direction and found a lot of pleasant surprises.  Virtually my entire route was off-trail and punctuated by light scrambling on granite outcroppings.  

I knew I was close to the mountains but I was completely surprised at this view of RMNP at the top of a hill.  

Easy creek crossing (see my footprints?)

I don't see many potholes that look like this.